Gaston County could turn purple to honor veterans

The Belmont resident and member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 634 has been pounding the pavement asking cities across Gaston County to become Purple Heart Cities.

The chapter, which includes members from Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus and Rowan counties, doesn’t want to stop there.

“Our goal is to get all cities in Gaston County (designated) as Purple Heart Cities, and then the county will take it up and become a Purple Heart County,” Wade said.

Mount Holly was the first to become a Purple Heart City in the fall. Belmont joined the ranks earlier this month.

Wade said a couple counties in the eastern part of the state might have all its cities with the designation, but this would be the first time a county in this region held that title.

So far, Wade has Stanley, Lowell, Dallas and Gastonia slated to issue proclamations in May. He plans to meet with the leaders of every incorporated city in the county that has a city hall, he said.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still in use. Its history dates back to the American Revolution. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. The Purple Heart is still given to those in the military who were wounded or killed in combat.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates 1.7 million Purple Hearts have been awarded.

“It’s not for any glorification for our chapter or anything like that,” Wade said. “It’s just trying to help veterans realize some of the benefits that are available to them.”

You can reach reporter Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839 or follow @AmandaMemrick on Twitter.